The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.

You should never have your best trousers on when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.

There is nothing more tyrannical than a strong popular feeling among a democratic people.

A riot is at bottom the language of the unheard.

The most hateful torment for men is to have knowledge of everything but power over nothing.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.

What experience and history teach is this—that nations and governments have never learned anything from history or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.

Politics is the art of the possible.

To be turned from one’s course by men’s opinions, by blame, and by misrepresentation shows a man unfit to hold office.